Jean Knight, Mr. Big Stuff | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 148^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Mr. Big Stuff” by Jean Knight. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 148^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Mr. Big Stuff”, performed by 🎙 Jean Knight. 

“Mr. Big Stuff / Who do you think you are? / Mr. Big Stuff / You’re never gonna get my love.” WOO! New Orleans soul singer 🎙 Jean Knight told y’all arrogant, overconfident dudes that you don’t have a chance with her on 🎵 “Mr. Big Stuff”. She is NOT impressed! While Knight charted a few other songs on the pop charts, “Mr. Big Stuff,” which appears on her 1971 album, 💿 Mr. Big Stuff, marked her sole top-10 hit. How well did this big single perform? Oh, it only peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971 💪.  Furthermore, Knight was nominated for a 🏆 Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female at the 14^th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Oh, we’re not done with accolades yet! In 1996, “Mr. Big Stuff” was certified double platinum by the RIAA. Sure, Mr. Big Stuff thought he was the sugar honey iced tea, but it was actually Knight’s single that earned those honors!

So, who penned “Mr. Big Stuff,” one of the greatest, funkiest soul records of all time? That would be 🎼 ✍ Carol Washington, Joseph Broussard, and Ralph Williams. Producing this masterpiece is the late, iconic New Orleans composer/arranger/bandleader/producer, 🎛 Wardell Quezerque. Quezerque definitely turns up the funk with the lit groove, marvelous rhythm guitar, robust bass line, and those epic, epic horns 🎺 🎷, WOO! That said, the key piece of “Mr. Big Stuff” is none other than Knight, who oozes with attitude, personality, and soul.  Her vocals are playful and commanding. The backing vocals amplify her lead, adding to the sassy, feminine vibes. Basically, Knight doesn’t have to settle for just any man, and he can’t woo her with material things. “I’d rather give my love to a poor guy that has a love that’s true / Than to be fooled around and get hurt by you.” WORD! 🎵 “Mr. Big Stuff” was indeed one of soul’s BIG, BIG hits.  Check out 🔗 Who Sampled – this one is a popular, popular sample.

🎙 Jean Knight • 💿 Mr. Big Stuff • 🏷 Fantasy, Inc. • 🗓 1971

Jean Knight, Mr. Big Stuff: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 148 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Fantasy, Inc.; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]